Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

NUR 326 > Dysrhythmias > Flashcards

Dysrhythmias Flashcards

1
Q

functions of cardiac cells

A

automaticity
excitability
conductivity
contractility

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

what is automaticity

A

ability to generate electrical impulse

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

what is excitability

A

ability of a cell to respond to an outside stimulus
- chemical, mechanical, electrical

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

what is conductivity

A

ability to receive an electrical impulse and conduct it

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

what is contractility

A

ability of the myocardial cells to shorten in response to an impulse

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

what is depolarization

A

when the muscles squeeze
- contractions in the atria and ventricles
- during systole

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

what is repolarization

A

when the heart is preparing to contract again

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

what is the p wave

A

the first little bump
- atria squeeze/depolarize

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

what is the QRS complex

A

the big jump
- ventricle squeezes/depolarize
- atria repolarize and get blocked by this

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

what is the t wave

A

the small bump after the QRS
- ventricles repolarize

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

what initiates the p wave

A

SA node

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what initiates the QRS complex

A

AV node

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

how does the AV node know when to go

A

senses the depolarization of the atria

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

what are function of the bundle of HIS and purkinje fibers

A

responsible for telling ventricles to squeeze

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

normal electrical conductivity of the heart is called

A

sinus rhythm

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

what are the characteristics of sinus rhythm

A

60-100
regular
P waves are upright, rounds, before q QRS, regular
PR interval: 0.12-0.20 sec
QRS: less than 0.12 sec

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

what is the amount of time a little box represents on an EKG

A

0.04 secs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

what is sinus arrhythmia

A

another normal commonly seen in young ppl
- degree of variability
- HR fluctuates with respiration or autonomic nervous system (longer p to p intervals)
- no changes of cardiac output

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

what is a dysrhythmia

A

abnormality of the cardiac rhythm
- problems w impulse generation or conduction
- significant bc it affects cardiac output

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

what are causes of dysrhythmias

A

inappropriate automaticity
triggered activity
re entry

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

what is inappropriate automaticity

A

a cell that initiates APs when its not suppose to
- can appear in the atria
- ex: myocardial ischemia, electrolyte imbalance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

what is triggered activity

A

an extra impulse generate during just after repolarization
- ex: digoxin toxicity, SNS stimulation, genetics

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

what is re entry

A

cardiac impulse in one part of the heart continues to depolarize after the main impulse has finished
- myocardial ischemia, electrolyte imbalance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

what is sinus bradycardia

A

regular, less than 60, normal rhythm/PR interval/QRS
- originates in the SA node

25
what are the causes of bradycardia
hyperkalemia vagal response (vagus is stimulated) digoxin toxicity LATE hypoxia (low o2 for long time) medications (beta block, ca channel block) myocardial infarction (ischemia around SA node)
26
what are the clinical manifestations of sinus bradycardia
lightheaded and dizzy fatigue syncope (fainting) dyspnea chest pain/discomfort confusion
27
why do clinical manifestation of sinus bradycardia occur
there is a dec of cardiac output
28
when do we treat sinus bradycardia
when the patient has symptoms
29
how do we treat bradycardia
atropine pacemaker if drugs dont work
30
what is sinus tachycardia
100-150, reg rhythm P waves are typically normal and present but can be partially hidden normal PR and QRS interval * more common than brady *
31
what are the causes of sinus tachycardia
catecholamines: exercise, pain, strong emotions fever (inc metabolic rate) FVD ( often first sign of dehydration) medications (epi, albuterol) substances (caffeine, cocaine, crack) early hypoxia
32
treatment for sinus tachycardia
depends on cause - hypovolemia: fluids - fever: antipyretics - pain: analgesics - beta blockers to reduce HR and myocardial oxygen consumption
33
what is paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT)
occasional above the ventricle fast heart - 150-250 - originates in the AV node - usually no P wave and if present they are abnormal - QRS normal - caused by re entry phenomena - begins and ends suddenly - "heart is racing"
34
PVST causes
over exertion emotional stress stimulants digitalis toxicity rheumatic heart disease CAD wolff parkinson white RS HF
35
PSVT clinical manifestations
palpations chest pain fatigue lightheadedness or dizziness dyspnea
36
what happens to cardiac output with PSVT
dec CO bc heart cant squeeze enough volume with each beat and the heart will eventually get exhausted
37
what are premature atrial contractions (PACs)
early p waves that usually have a morphologic change - normal PR interval, QRS - usually no consequences but if frequent can indicate potential other problems like afib
38
what do you do for someone with premature atrial contractions
check electrolytes may need O2
39
what are the atrial dysrhythmias
atrial flutter atrial fibrillation
40
what is atrial flutter
originates in the AV node and overrides the SA node - re entry impulse that is repetitive and cyclic - reg atrial rhythm, but rate over 250 - ventricle rate is slower
41
what happens to the waves in atrial flutter
P wave: sawtooth QRS normal maybe 2-4 p waves for 1 QRS (2:1, 3:1, etc)
42
causes of atrial flutter
coronary heart disease cardiomyopathy heart valve disease congenital heart disease inflammation of the heart like myocarditis HTN conditions like lung disease of overactive thyroid electrolytes
43
what is atrial fibrillation
multiple irritable spots in the atria - irregularly irregular (both atrial and ventricular --> not communicating and are going at random) - 100-175 - no identifiable p wave --> fibrillation waves - PR interval irregular?
44
what are a fib clinical manifestations
palpations heart racing fatigue dizziness chest discomfort SOB may be symptomatic
45
what are a fib causes
electrolytes hypoxia cardiovascular disease
46
what are a fib complications
dec cardiac output heart failure embolus --> stroke - blood not clearing out of atria, allows it to clot then can be pumped into circulation
47
treatment of a fib
rate control: beat blockers, CCB, digitalis, amiodarone, stroke prevention: anticoags, antiplatelets non pharm: ablation, caridoversion
48
what is premature ventricle contractions (PVCs)
contractions coming from ectopic focus in the ventricles - comes earlier than QRS should come and doesnt allow for a normal p wave - wide/distorted QRS
49
what are the causes of PVCs
stimulants electrolytes!! hypoxia fever exercise emotional stress CVD
50
how do we treat PVCs
treat the cause
51
what are the PVCs subtypes and what are they
bi, tri, and quadrigeminy - QRS distorted after -- q p wave -- q 2 p waves -- q 3 p waves
52
what is ventricular tachycardia
3 or more PVCs together - ventricles take control and fire repeatedly and no atrial contractions are occurring *seriously dec CO*
53
what is vtach associated with
MI CAD sign electrolyte imbalance heart failure drug toxicity
54
what is the rate during vtach
150-200, reg
55
what do the waves look like with vtach
no evident p waves PR no measurable
56
how do we treat vtach
depend on the pulse, pt will be asymptomatic very quick unless converts back to other rhythm - anti dysrhythmic meds like beta blockers, Ca channel blockers - electrolyte replacement
57
first question to ask during vtach
pulse or pulseless - pulseless = CPR
58
what is ventricular fibrillation (vfib)
irregular waveforms of varying shapes and sizes ventricles are just quivering no effective contractions = no CO

NUR 326 (20 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions